







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| It's very difficult for me to go there more than once a year. | |
| Erm... You look about 30? | |
| I need some parsley, but it looks a bit limp. | |
| I can't call him at the moment because his phone is unreachable. | |
| Anyway, you only have 10 days left to leave that house. | |
| Is it because it's too violent? | |
| By the way, my name's Mike, what's yours? | |
| Let me check, we only need butter. | |
| Anyway, this is Cate and her friends from work. | |
| We're out tonight for Laura. | |
| But for how many people? | |
| What do you think about him, Cate? | |
| Do we have a mortar and pestle? | |
| But we have to be quick, I don't have much time. | |
| Sorry, look, here is the station. | |
| Of course, she is an angel, do you want to talk to your mum? | |
| He is 70 and my mum is 64. | |
| It seems Pogo wants to go into the garden. | |
| I've only got Saturday left before I have to move on Sunday. | |
| I hope your friends don't mind. | |